Therapeutic brassiere



April 22, 1969 A, DEFR'U I 3,439,682

THERAPEU'MC BRASS IERE Filed Oct. 10, 1967 v Sheet 01*3 Fl 6 2 INVENTOR.

ALBERT C. DEF/PU WK/WM Filed Oct. 10,

Z of 3 Sheet INVENTOR.

ALB EIQT ODEFQU WKMMM April 22, 1969 c, DEFRU THERAPEUTIC BRASSIERE Sheet Filed Oct. 10, 1967 INVENTOR. ALBEQT CDEFDU United States Patent 3,439,682 THERAPEUTIC BRASSIERE Albert C. Defru, 811 N. Buena Vista, Burbank, Calif. 91505 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 485,737, Sept. 8, 1965. This application Oct. 10, 1967, Ser. No. 677,831

Int. Cl. A410 3/04, 3/00 US. Cl. 128460 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Related applications This application is a continuation in part of my copending application for a Therapeutic Brassiere, Ser. No. 485,737, filed Sept. 8, 1965, now abandoned.

Description of the invention The present invention relates to a therapeutic brassiere and more particularly to a therapeutic brassiere having a novel construction which eliminates the necessity for wires and bones.

Prior attempts in the construction of therapeutic brassieres have all been plagued with the necessity of wires or bones for reinforcement, which have created as many or more problems as the brassieres were intended to solve. Another disadvantage lay in the lack of proper support and circulation, particularly in the lateral quadrant of the breast. Individual adjustment has been extremely limited, resulting in a poor fitting for the majority of wearers. A further disadvantage lay in that the majority of the breast weight is being carried by the shoulder straps, with attendant discomfort and aggravation of bursitis, in some cases.

According to the invention, a therapeutic brassiere is provided having extended lateral support past the cup area for improvement of lateral quadrant support and reduction of excessive underarm flesh. The inner support band is constructed of a stiff backing lamination, such as canvas, with a lining of soft material, such as cotton flannel. The laminated construction lends enough stiffness to the inner support band to obviate the necessity of bones or wires. This relieves any attendant discomfort accompanying the bones and wires, tends to increase circulation, and will not create excess midrifi flesh. It has also been found that the elimination of bones and wires helps prevent lymphatic congestion. A pair of cradle supports are attached to the forward side of the inner support band which hold the breasts from underneath. These are also constructed of a heavy backing cloth such as canvas with a softer lining, which contacts the skin, made of cotton flannel, for example. A pair of cradle straps are connected by stitching to each of the cups where the two cups join at the center. The straps are adjustably attached on the outside ends of each cup for positioning, and are adjustable in length to account for various shapes. Shoulder straps are slideably mounted to the cradle straps.

The front section of the brassiere comprises a lateral support strap to which the inner support band is stitched at each end thereof, and to which outside cups are stitched along the bottom half of the cups, The outer strap is tacked to the inner support band at the centers, allowing complete freedom of movement for the outside support strap and cups with relation to the cradles of the inner support band. The centers and ends of the outside support strap are elastic to eifect a firm and comfortable fit. The tops of the outside cups are adjustably attached to the shoulder straps further implementing a universal fit over a wide range of sizes and shapes.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, the lateral support strap is removed. Here, the cups are removably attached to the inner support band as by Velcro strips. A stiffened nylon rib can be utilized in the inner support band to lend structural strength to the unit.

In a bathing suit halter version of the invention, the cups are permanently stitched to the cradle members and inner support band and the shoulder straps form a vertical extension of the inner support band.

In a night support version of the present invention, the cups are completely removed and the cradle members are stitched to the inner support band along the top edge of the contoured recesses in the inner support band.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a therapeutic brassiere in which the necessity for wire or bone reinforcements has been obviated.

Another object is to provide a therapeutic brassiere that exerts a minimum of pressure on shoulder straps and midriif.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a therapeutic brassiere having a double support feature for allowing free blood circulation.

Still another object is to provide a therapeutic brassiere with a plurality of adjustments for a more universal fit.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a therapeutic brassiere with a maximum of support on the lateral quadrant of the users breasts.

A still further object is to provide a therapeutic brassiere which encourages development of the pectoralis muscles.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a therapeutic brassiere which curtails the development of lymphatic congestion.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like referenced numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention taken from the outer side;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 taken from the inner side;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view partially broken away of the present invention taken from the inner side;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a swimming suit version of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a night support version of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the therapeutic brassiere is generally shown at 11 having an outer support strap generally shown at 12 with a front section 13 and a lace side section 14 with an elastic back panel 16. The front support strip is bordered on its bottom edge by an elastic strip 17. Cups 18 and 19 are attached to outer support strap 12 as will be shown with reference to FIG. 2.

Inner support band 21 is stitched to outer support band 12 at the junction 25 of side panel 14 and back panel 16 of outer support strap 12, and at the center 23 of outer support strap 12. Inner support band 21 has contoured recesses 22 on the top portion thereof and cradles 20 stitched to the front side thereof at 24. The back side of inner support band 21 has a soft cloth lamination, such as cotton flannel, the front side having a stiffer lamination, such as canvas. Cradle straps 26 tacked to inner support band 21 at the top center 27 and adjustably attached at each end of cradles 20 by fasteners 28. Cradle straps 26 are adjustable in length at 29 and have elastic sections 31 which terminate in the center attachment at 27. Cups 18 and 19 (FIG. 1) are adjustably attached to straps 32 at clasps 33.

Referring to FIG. 4, a modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is shown generally at 41 having an inner support band 21 with a heavy nylon rib 42 carried between its laminations. Inner support band 21 has a contoured recess 43 and carries cradle supports 44 thereon. Inner support band 21 has an extension to either side 46 forming the back strap of the brassiere. Cups 47 are carried by cradle supports 44 by cooperating Velcro strips 48 on cradle member 44 and 49 on cups 47. Cups 47 are not tacked or stitched at any point but are completely removable. At the top of each cup 47, a hook 51 is attached for an adjustable coupling at coupling members 52 of shoulder straps 53. Shoulder straps 53 slideably carry cradle straps 54 which are attached at the center of the cradle support member 44 and on the outside top edges thereof as by stitching or tacking.

Referring to FIG. 5, a swimming suit version is shown in which inner support band 21 has contoured recesses 43 and carries cradle supports 44 as by stitching at the top edge of inner support band 21. Inner support band 21 carries heavy nylon ribs 42. Side extensions 46 form a back strap and are attached to inner support band 21 as by stitching. Shoulder straps 56 form extensions of cradle supports 44, cups 57 being carried by cradle supports 44 and shoulder straps 56, as by permanent stitching.

Referring to FIG. 6, a night support version is shown generally at 61 having an inner support band 21 which carries cradle supports 44. Cradle supports 44 are integral with one lamination of inner support band 21, the stiff backing ending at dotted line 62, cradle straps 54 form an extension of cradle supports 44 and are slideably received by loops 63 in shoulder straps 64. Cradle straps 54 are fixed attached to the center of inner support band 21.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 together, each novel feature will be discussed, together with the purpose and advantage resulting therefrom. To begin with, inner support band and cradles 20 are constructed of laminations having a soft inner lamination, such as cotton flannel for contact with the wearers skin and a heavier backing lamination such as canvas for structural strength. This construction, since it obviates the need for bones and wires, results in maximum comfort to the wearer, consistent with the desired support to the wearer, The extension of inner support band 21 past the cradle and cup area results in maximum support for the breast tissue on the lateral quadrant. In the prior art brassieres, this section is merely elastic.

Attaching cups 18 and 19 to outer band 12 and then tacking outer band 12 to the sides of inner band 21 and to the center of inner band 21, results in maximum adjustment and freedom of the cups 18 and 19 and allows for an adjustable attachment of the cups to the shoulder straps 32. In connection with this, cradle straps 26 have elastic sections 31 and are made adjustable in length and position. These features allow for individual fitting of not only in size, but shape and position of an individual wearers breasts. It also allows for future adjustment as the individuals bust line and shape improve as the instant invention will cause. Because of the lateral quadrant support mentioned above, more of the breast is brought forward for more complete shaping by the cradle area of the brassiere.

Since cradle 20 and inner support band 21 support the majority of the breast weight, shoulder straps 32 will cause a minimum of discomfort and attendant problems.

Referring back to FIG. 5, a modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is shown in that the outer strap is completely eliminated and the inner support band 21 is reinforced by a nylon rib 42 obviating the necessity of the outer strap, The main other modification being the complete removability of cups 47 for even more latitude in individual fit, i.e., a much larger variety of sizes can be accommodated by the basic unit merely by choosing proper dimensions of cups 47.

Referring to FIG. 5, the swimming suit version is shown again. Again the nylon reinforcing rib 42 obviates the necessity of the outer strap. In this embodiment, the cups 57 are fixedly attached due to the nature of its use and shoulder straps 56 being an extension of inner support band 21 performs an uplifting function at the sides which help reduce the need for cradle straps.

Referring to FIG. 6, the night support version is shown generally at 61. Here, again, the outer strap has been eliminated to lend more comfort to the wearer and the cradle supports 44 are formed by an extension of one lamination of inner support band 21 since, in this use, much less support is required.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates to only preferred embodiments of the invention, and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for the purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:

1. A therapeutic brassiere comprising:

an inner support band, said inner support band being constructed of at least first and second cloth laminations;

first and second contoured recesses on the top edge of said support band positioned and dimensioned for receiving and supporting a wearers breasts;

first and second boneless and wireless cradle support members attached to the forward side of said inner support band below said recesses, said first and second cradle support members contoured and dimensioned for carrying a. wearers breasts forward of said inner support band, said cradle support members having straps adjustably secured at the top edges thereof; and

back strap members extending from and coupled to said inner support band.

2. The therapeutic brassiere of claim 1 and further ineluding:

shoulder straps extending from said first and second cradle supports.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,553,225 5/1951 Weaver et al 128-485 2,616,083 11/1952 El Juri 128-477 2,688,749 9/1954 Cocks 128-487 2,698,940 1/ 1955 Dombek 128-477 3,149,635 9/1964 Garutso 128-460 ADELE M. EAGER, Primary Examiner.

US, Cl. X.R. 128-484, 492, 510 

